Browns: Play-calling could be hang-up for coordinator candidates

Hiring an offensive coordinator willing to hand off play-calling to new head coach Pat Shurmur might prove difficult for the Browns.

Bill Musgrave, interviewed by the Browns on Tuesday in Berea, decided to accept the offensive coordinator post in Minnesota after interviewing with the Vikings on Wednesday. One reason he chose the Vikings is he will call plays for Coach Leslie Frazier, who had been the Vikings' defensive coordinator before being named interim head coach late in 2010. Frazier had the interim tag removed earlier this month.

On the day he was hired, Shurmur said he plans to call plays for the Browns. He said it was the "fun part" of the job. He was offensive coordinator in St. Louis the past two years.

Exactly where the Browns turn next is unclear. They could still go after Baltimore quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, but so far have not asked the Ravens for permission to talk to him, according to reports.

Advertisement

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mark Whipple, recently fired as the offensive coordinator of the Miami Hurricanes, is also a candidate for the Browns' offensive coordinator post. Whipple was the Steelers' quarterbacks coach when Ben Roethlisberger was a rookie in 2004. He was let go when Mike Tomlin was named head coach in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Browns are expected to interview Dave Wannstedt today for the job of defensive coordinator. They spent Tuesday and Wednesday interviewing Eagles secondary coach/senior assistant Dick Jauron for defensive coordinator. Jauron is also a candidate for the defensive coordinator job in Philadelphia.

If neither Jauron nor Wannstedt work out, the Browns could turn to Jim Mora.

Mora turned down offers by the Broncos and Eagles to be their defensive coordinator because he said he wants to remain in broadcasting. Mora was the defensive coordinator in Seattle the last two years Browns president Mike Holmgren was the Seahawks' head coach.

In other news, the Browns added bodies to their roster by signing linebacker Auston English and wide receiver Rod Windsor. English was signed as an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma last year. He was waived on June 17.

Windsor spent a week on the Browns' practice squad in 2010. He most recently was on the Bills' practice squad.